Are bitcoin transactions anonymous or pseudonymous?

Since a person's wallet address doesn't have to be anonymous, but it can be difficult to find, a Bitcoin wallet address is called a pseudonym, an alias, which is different from a person's real name. The data is not linked to an identity, but it is still possible to trace the identity of a person or a pseudonym.

Are bitcoin transactions anonymous or pseudonymous?

Since a person's wallet address doesn't have to be anonymous, but it can be difficult to find, a Bitcoin wallet address is called a pseudonym, an alias, which is different from a person's real name. The data is not linked to an identity, but it is still possible to trace the identity of a person or a pseudonym. Bitcoin is often described as anonymous because it is possible to send and receive bitcoins without providing any personally identifying information. Bitcoin is designed to allow its users to send and receive payments with an acceptable level of privacy, as well as any other form of money.

However, Bitcoin is not anonymous and cannot offer the same level of privacy as cash. In reality, it is pseudonymous because each user has a public address that, in theory, could be traced to an IP address or an exchange account (and, through a proxy, a real identity) through an adequate analysis of the network. The paradox of cryptocurrencies is that their associated data creates a trail that can suddenly make your entire financial history public information. All Bitcoin transactions are accessible to anyone on the network.

The addresses to which the money is sent and from which the money is sent are recorded, the date, time and value of each transaction, the only thing that is not the identities of the people behind those addresses. Bitcoin mixers are solutions (software or services) that allow users to mix their coins with those of other users to preserve their privacy. According to research by blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, for example, mixers are mainly used by regular Bitcoin users who simply want privacy. Bitcoin addresses are “anonymous”, but if an address can be linked to a real identity, Bitcoin offers no privacy.

For anyone to make a transaction on the Bitcoin blockchain, you need a wallet that is connected to a Bitcoin node. Bitcoin addresses are “anonymous”, but if an address can somehow be linked to a real-world identity, Bitcoin offers no privacy.

Maxine Willia
Maxine Willia

Typical tv guru. Burrito lover. Proud food enthusiast. Total social media ninja. Proud music enthusiast.

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